Dramatic ending as the Storm take the extra point
A dramatic end to a scrappy Challenge Cup game in Manchester with the Storm taking the extra point in a penalty shoot out.
The game ended 3-3 after 60 minutes following Mikko Juusola’s equalising goal with 8.50 remaining
Manchester thought they had won it in overtime only for the goal to be disallowed after a coach’s review had been requested by Aaron Fox.
In the end, the Storm would be victorious after scoring their first two penalty shots, only Mikko Juusola converted for the Steelers and when Marco Vallerand missed the final shot of 10 Manchester celebrated cup victory.
The Story of this one …
Marco De-Filippo started for the Steelers for the first time this season with Matt Greenfield rested. Marco Vallerand back in the line up following his injury in Dundee last Weekend.
Finlay Ulrich also made the squad and played an important part in the Steelers taking a point, both scoring and assisting in regulation.
First Period …
End to end Juusola found Dominic Cormier for the Steelers first chance with Manchester goalie Evan Weninger making the first save of the night.
09.11 and Steelers led, as a lucky bounce off the boards fooled Weninger and fell nicely to Finlay Ulrick who slotted home to give us the lead.
10.04 and Manchester hit right back as Jake Durflinger hammered a shot past De Filippo to tie the game
Colton Saucerman went end to end but Weninger made the save with his glove
Mark Simpson created a chance for Daniel Ciampini who drove the crease and tried ti beat Weninger from close range
Steelers turn to get an ugly bounce, De-Filippo cleared the puck from behind his net, by the time he had got back to his crease Durflinger had tapped in from close range to give the Storm the lead
Cormiers shot wasn’t held by Weniger but Ciampini couldn’t convert
A little tussle late on with Saucerman and Hiram picking 5 minute penalties for fighting
Period ends: Storm 2-1 Steelers
Second Period …
Hughes and Leavens clash behind the Storm net, however moments before CJ Garcia took 2 for slashing
Watling went closest on the PP, his pass looking for a Juusola tip that didn’t happen
Mitchell Balmas went close after a smooth play between Dowd and Vallerand ended up on the stick of #92
Shudra and Ulrick combined in setting up Brandon Whistle, his long range shot beat Weninger to tie the game 2-2
The ice started to tilt in the Steelers favour, helped by more power-plays, Ehrhardt next taking a tripping minor at 30.20
Dowd went closest, Vallerands pass found the captain alone but his shot hit the shoulder of Weninger.
Finlay Ulrick went close, his shot kicked away by Weninger
37.38 and Vallerand to the box for hooking, Manchester had their first power-play, but only for a few seconds as Hiram joined him in the box at 37.43 for high sticks
Period Ends: Storm 2-2 Steelers
Third Period …
Manchester strike first with a go-ahead-goal at 45.12 from Estevez, his shot beating Marco De-Filippo from long range
Balmas found Vallerand only for Weninger to cover up as Steelers pressed looking for the equaliser
Not once, not twice but three times Weninger stopped a range of Steelers in the same shift as it became desperate
with 8.39 remaining the breakthrough came, Mikko Juusola on his backhand finding the back of the net for 3-3
De-Filippo made a huge stop at one end, Weinger at the other as both sides went looking for the winner
Manchester had a late power-play with Vallerand in the box for roughing.
Third period ended, 1 point each as we headed to ….
Overtime …
Manchester went close early but Human and Watling ended up in the net, Watling was assisted off to the team bench after his collision with the post
62.46 and Manchester thought they had won it, to be fair most of us throught they had
Grant Hebert from close range and firing into the roof of the net
Aaron Fox challenged for goalie interference, the referees looked at the video and agreed, it was game on again
Mark Simposion went close as Weninger saved again.
63.50 and Steelers had a too many men on the ice penalty, captain Dowd served it
Steelers killed despite Storm pressure and to a shoot out we went
Shoot out …
Manchester scored their first two penalty shots but both Brandon Whistle and Mitchell Balmas were denied
Durflinger and Leavens then both missed in the third round of shots
Hinam missed for the Storm and Juusola then scored, top shelf, to send it into the final round of penalty shots
Morrow was denied by De-Filippo leaving Marco Vallerand a chance to be the hero and take it into sudden death, it wasn’t to be as Weninger poke-checked him and he failed to get his show away
Steelers take a point in the Cup and head to Coventry tomorrow in a league fixture against the Blaze.
Steelers Back in CHL Action on Wednesday
Face Off 7.00pm Vs Dynamo Pardubice (doors open 6.00pm)
Tickets “HERE”